Puppy dilemma - it’s not her, it’s us

Send her back to the breeder. Puppies are very hard work and need lots of time and commitment, everyone needs to be on board bringing a puppy into the family, they should be a joy, not meh!

I have a new puppy that was planned and waited for after the loss of our beloved GSD last year and he's hard work but so worth it but we knew what to expect. Get out now and take yours back to the breeder so she can find a home where she's truly wanted with committed people, this is only going to get worse and it's not fair on the puppy. The longer you wait the harder she'll be to rehome and then her chances of finding her family who will love her and cherish her for life plummet, don't do this to her, take her back to the breeder.

Yes - return the puppy asap to the breeder and give it a chance of a loving home.

Wow.

If your and DP were only ever 'mildly pro-dog', why would you have done this in the first place? You're setting a shite example to your children.

Yes, return the puppy. Not for you, and that’s ok

You will all have a serious shock to your system when pup hits adolescence (which lasts years) if you think she is trained now, and you are only "midly-pro dog". Return your puppy to the breeder. This is so depressing.

Yes, send her back asap she deserves to be really wanted. Sorry you’ve had to do it though.

Well, not necessarily. Not all pets require the effort that a dog takes. OP has clearly put in the effort to toilet train and getting a puppy was a considered decision It turns out they’re probably not dog people. That’s ok. It’s a shame for the puppy but it’s not going to be psychologically damaged if it’s rehomed at this age. I don’t think OP deserves to be completely slated. If she sent this dog back and later got another dog then that would be a different story.

Getting any pet (especially a dog) is a massive commitment and takes very careful consideration before going ahead and actually getting one. I’m not trying to be patronising, but how much did you think it over before actually deciding to get the dog? I got a kitten recently and was thinking on and off about getting one for a couple of years, more seriously so over the last year. I did have a bit of a panic after getting him but I think it can be a bit overwhelming at first. Especially if it is your first dog or cat. Could this just be a case of adjustment to the change in lifestyle that comes with a dog? Can you really see your life like this for the next 10+ years? If the answer is no then you probably know what you need to do.

I got a cat when my DD was 4 and she was very much not interested in it, but now aged 6 she loves the cat and is involved with doing some of the feeds every day and just seems to really enjoy it being around the place. You can’t expect the kids to bond with it in two weeks, is my point.

for the allergy reasons and other reasons you’ve said though, sounds like a dog isn’t for you.

This

Pups are so difficult that if you’re meh at all, you’re pretty much gone!!! I’d agree send the pup back before it falls in love with you

Same here but I knew already this was a commitment and wouldn’t have got mine if I’d thought if we aren’t bonded I’ll give her back

you have to be ready to take it on rain or shine - I don’t think the poster is

How can you say that friends’ dogs “turned out” to be non shedding? How did you not research this first? It doesn’t sound like you’ve really planned or prepared for puppy ownership at all.

Definitely send the puppy back. Stick to cats if you know you can care for the one you have.

Sounds like you have made a genuine mistake, owning a dog is a totally different ballgame from the cat you also have. Puppies are very hard work, I can remember the challenges of our pup, (many years ago now) but we got through it and he was a very loyal dog for 13 years. Would I have another one, no, absolutely not, they are a massive commitment, and due to my disability it would be impractical. Of course you aren’t a terrible person, some of the comments are v unnecessary. But yes, rehome the puppy whilst she is young.

Just to add, The pup is only 10 weeks, another week or two, is not going to make a difference to the pup settling with a new family if you need more time. Be 100% sure, you don’t want to regret it later.
As others have said the Puppy blues are real but that is often born from the work that they create and exhaustion from sleepless nights, and you sound like you are coping ok with that.
We have loved ours from the get go, so can’t comment on that bonding taking time, yet others have experienced it.
If you return her don’t feel bad, you are doing what is best for her as well as your family.

That depends on what sort of breeder we're dealing with here.

Return the puppy asap so that she can’t go to a new family whilst she is still young

How quickly can you get her back to her breeder ?!!!

as that is what needs doing and the sooner she is returned the better chance the breeder has of reselling her - if she gets too old the breeder may give her to a animal rescue like Many Tears and then they have all the costs until they find her a home.

I expect you are already receiving medical help re your OCD.

Poor poor dog. another dog purchased on a whim / because the children wanted one.

IME you have to have someone in the family who really, really loves the dog. Whose heart and soul is the dog. Who bats for the dog and defends the dog, even if they are not doing the lion's share of the care.

If everyone is a bit 'meh', then it's going to be so much tougher.

So who is your dog's champion? Who, if you mooted returning the dog to the breeder, would declare their life over and they would never talk to you again?

Anyone? Anyone? If the answer is, actually, no one - return the dog.

You "don't adore her"? You've had her TWO weeks, ffs!

Rubbish..the poster said the kids have spent 30
mins and they themselves are a bit meh about it before they got it

totally irresponsible

Send her back.

I think you should contact the breeder asap. We all make mistakes. I too made a mistake like this but went into have another dog a few years later and he is still with us 10 years later. You undoubtedly feel rotten about it but time to take action.

This!!! In buckets!